< PreviousHelp to Buy10_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:05 Page 111_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:05 Page 112 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESTHE BESTof bothWORLDSA delightful barnconversion inHeighingtonmakes the bestuse of abeautifulbuilding toprovide afabulous modernhome12-15_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:23 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY13HOMESe’ve visited the beautiful village ofHeighington quite frequently overthe years because it seems to reflect allthat’s great about Lincolnshire. It’s just a fewminutes’ drive from Lincoln but, at the same time,offers a wonderful rural idyll with its own uniqueatmosphere and community feel.It’s also the location for some stunning homesand The Old Barn is certainly a great example ofthis. As the name suggests, it’s a conversion andindeed in the past the barn itself was one of the14 ÁW12-15_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:23 Page 214 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMEShubs of the village, holding barn dancesand other events – but now it’s afantastic family home, as Andrew andLisa Gamwell and their daughter Reganhave enjoyed over the last few years. AsAndrew tells us, though, despite living inHeighington for many years, their arrivalwas thanks to TV.Andrew says, “The conversion wasdone in 2010 and, initially, we saw it onHomes Under The Hammer! We livedabout half a mile away and we’d actuallytuned in to see the farmhouse down theroad but they showed some of theunconverted barn and that sparked ourinterest. We didn’t even know it was herebecause it was surrounded by trees.“We’d looked at barn conversionsbefore but most of them are rather lazyconversions – they have vast spaces, notreally converted well. So when we had alook at the plans, they were ideal. Wefirst approached the builder just as hewas starting the project – and the planshe came up with were exactly as wewould have done it. It feels like you’reliving in a modern house, even though itwas built, we think, around 1850. Thereare aspects like underfloor heating, butit’s got all the character of the originalbuilding.”The décor in the home is a great mixof the classic and contemporary. The ensuite bathroom in the master bedroom isparticularly fantastic, though Andrew tellsus it was a little bit of a challenge to get12-15_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:23 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY15HOMESthe bath in around the beams – it had tobe put together downstairs, dismantledand then remade when it was in place.Regan was just a baby when theymoved into the house, and Andrew says,“It’s been brilliant as a family home,especially as she’s been growing up. Wehave a family area around the kitchen-diner where we live, and then over theother side is a more grown-up area –there’s a lounge where I can escape andwrite. The two sides of the building workreally well, it keeps everything quiteseparate. When Regan has friends aroundthey can play and it’s all zoned off quitenicely, so you can have peace and quietand also the hustle and bustle of familylife.”Indeed, the living and dining area isactually an old cowshed, while thekitchen area is a new build which joinsthe two areas together. A few remindersof the home’s former use can be seen,including the well which, although thefamily don’t use it, can still be used topump water.The family have loved living in thehome, and in Heighington, but the homeis now on the market as they intend tostart a new life in France. Andrew says,“We’ve often joked that if we could liftthe home up and take it with us, wewould!”. This does mean a new familycan enjoy the experience, as it’s now onthe market with Starkey & Brown ofLincoln.12-15_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:23 Page 416 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESOur homes and the way they are decorated canoften reflect on our lives, as well as the things welove. One of the most popular trends in the pastfew years has been that of vintage as we’vefeatured in recent months. However, there’s plentyto enjoy from its polar opposite – the modernapproach.Modern style revolves around two commonfeatures, the most important facet of which is theidea that less is more when it comes to decoration.It moves away from the cluttered shabby chic ofolder styles, and in some ways this can make aroom not only look more spacious, but also tidier.What’s more a person can achieve a modern styleon a smaller budget, or perhaps on the samebudget – but with higher quality furniture. The other feature of the modern style is a love ofcontrast. This can be both in terms of colour, withblack and white being particular favourites, or itcan also be in terms of shapes. Hard right anglesand squares might make up a wall unit,contrasting with round or circular couches. Thegoal is to draw the eye without confusing it, givingclear borders and distinction between couches,walls and any other furniture. Modern styles work particularly well with thelifestyles we have now as well. With flat-screentelevisions and racks of DVDs or books actuallyadding to the style, rather than appearing a nuisance.A more modern decoration also lends itself well toart-deco paintings and sculptures, and even pottedplants - plus the odd example of period style furnitureto provide a real contrast.3A newAGEPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PLUSONEIf you’re thinking about giving your home a modern look,there are a few things to keep in mind. A newAGE16-17_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:24 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY17HOMESA Benchmark of Quality inHandmade Furniture...www.chesterfieldsinlincoln.co.ukHand made furniture, builtfor you to your choice ofhide colour, over 80 tochoose from.Do you need your furniturea little smaller, taller, longer ordeeper?Produced and delivered to youwith care and pride.Our philosophy is simple…By providing an established, in demand product, of unsurpassed qualityand unequalled value for money, we know that today’s discerningcustomer responds positively to genuine offers. We therefore invite youto a genuine ‘no obligation’ sampling of our beautiful leather furniture.We look forward to welcoming you to our showroom.uTop grain extra thick first quality leather uSolid English beech wooden frame uHigh density, reflex “memory” foam cushions uIndividual deep stitched buttons with virtually unbreakable upholsterers twineChesterfields in Lincoln2, Ryland Bridge, Dunholme Road, Welton, Lincoln, LN2 3RPTel: 01673 866656 Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pmYour Dream Kitchen...From planning to reality?View our credentials atCall now for your FREE quoteon 01522 526400Visit our showroom at: SunningdaleTrading Estate, Dixon Street, LincolnLN6 7UBwww.dreamdoors.co.uk• Trusted reputation• Made to measure custom built doors and units• Fitted by our own experts1) Astro Edge Lighting plays an important part in modern design. The Astro Edge from Astrolighting creates a striking sculptural form with a halo of light. Its pure whitepanels appear to float on nothing but a mesmerising glow. £350. 2) Chickweed CanvassThis 100cm x 67cm canvass adds a splash of colour to an otherwise minimalistroom, drawing the eye while also accentuating the modern feel. Match it with asimilarly coloured decorative piece as they have here. £150. 3) Delta 004 Shelving Unit With its sharp lines and distinctive contrasts, the Delta 004 shelving unit can beused as a bookshelf or decorative wall unit. Remember that less is more whenit comes to contents. £529. 1216-17_Layout 1 20/03/2015 10:25 Page 2GARDENSOURGREEN ANDPLEASANTLANDGrimsthorpe Castle, a stone’s throw from Bourne, is a magnificent estate with not only oodlesof history, but a fantastic and expansive collection of gardens. We pay a visit and tour thewonders with head gardener Eddie Peeling.18-22_Layout 1 20/03/2015 12:36 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY19GARDENSaving been at the castle for over forty years, Eddie knows the estateinside out and there’s a lot to take in. Originally around four acres, thecastle now manages around 25 acres or more of space, including six inthe original walled gardens. Within the estate, there are vast woodland sections, awalled garden, a verdant and luxurious kitchen garden, a rose garden and elaboratebox hedging.The first thing you notice about the entire estate is how well it is maintained. Withmeticulous care, there’s nary a leaf out of place and each walkway picks its waycarefully through flowers, vegetable patches and under tall trees with a clean,manicured feel.Over time, the estate has been transformed. The kitchen garden and vegetablegarden were formerly an ash wood and the gardens have been extended acrossformer agricultural land. It takes a staff of five including Eddie and a trainee to lookafter everything, but it’s obviously something they take pride in.The current resident at Grimsthorpe is Lady Willoughby, who has great pride inthe gardens and has taken down fences to make the walk around the estate moreThe current resident at Grimsthorpe isLady Willoughby, who has great pride inthe gardens and has taken down fences tomake the walk around the estate moreopen and inviting20 ÁH18-22_Layout 1 20/03/2015 12:36 Page 2Next >